Shifa Herbal Kerala XI ensured a place in the semifinals by beating the crowd favourites Mumtaz Chaliyar 2-0 in the final league round of the 5th Keli Football Tournament in Riyadh yesterday.
Kerala XI struck the first blow, after the breather through Harris. Needing just a draw, Chaliyar responded with several counter moves but Kerala XI’s custodian Shuhaib showed a terrific performance under the bar, who made crucial goalmouth saves for his team. In 60th minute Kerala XI increased the lead through striker Ashraf to seal Chaliyar's hopes.
In another match Classic Rest ACC thrashed Mt. Everest Nepal XI 5-0 and surged into the semifinals. After a barren first half, ACC surged forward in the seventh minute of second half through Riyaz. Shamzu increased the tally in the 12th minute. Striker Kader was the star of the ACC side pumping in a hattrick in the 17th, 22nd, and 30th minutes of the second session.
In the semifinals next Friday, Kerala XI will take on Shaifa Al Jazzera Star while the ACC will meet Rukkis's Tea Rimal.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Sunday 31 May 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.